PSG Held to Draw by Reims as Luis Enrique Prioritizes Player Health

This past Saturday evening, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faced a surprising setback as they drew 1-1 against Stade de Reims at the Auguste Delaune Stadium. Just days after their Champions League victory over Girona, manager Luis Enrique opted for significant changes in the starting lineup, even resting key player Achraf Hakimi, a decision he later explained after the match.

PSG stumbles against Reims

PSG struggled to secure a victory in their fifth Ligue 1 match of the season against Stade de Reims. This draw marked their first major hurdle of the season as they began their European campaign, with the mounting fixture congestion clearly taking its toll.

Hakimi left out of the squad

In light of the busy schedule, Luis Enrique implemented a rotation strategy for the match, giving starting positions to players like Désiré Doué and Randal Kolo Muani. While Lucas Beraldo stepped in for Nuno Mendes on the left side of defense, the PSG coach made the decision to omit Achraf Hakimi from the squad entirely to allow the Moroccan some much-needed rest.

“We must prioritize our players’ health”

When questioned about his choices post-match, Luis Enrique was straightforward, stating, “The instructions are clear. We must prioritize and take care of our players’ health. The schedule is demanding and lengthy,” during the press conference.